The Amarnath Ji Yatra is a significant Hindu pilgrimage to the Amarnath Temple in Jammu and Kashmir. For 2025, the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) has announced that the Yatra will take place from July 3 to August 9, 2025. The Amarnath Ji Yatra is a test of faith, endurance, and devotion. It is more than a trek and a religious journey that tests your faith, your health, and your patience. The Amarnath Ji Yatra is considered a sacred journey, offering devotees an opportunity for spiritual growth, self-reflection, and connection with the divine. Every year ‘Amarnath Ji Yatra’ is marked by ‘Pratham Pujan’ which is said to summon the blessings of Baba Amarnath and attracts a large number of devotees from all over the world. The Amarnath Ji Yatra is a revered pilgrimage that showcases the devotion and resilience of millions of pilgrims.
Every year, thousands of pilgrims from every corner of the nation travel to the holy cave of Amarnath Ji in Jammu and Kashmir. The cave is located at over 12,700 feet above sea level and contains a naturally formed ice Shivling said to represent Lord Shiva. The cave, located in Sind Valley, is surrounded by glaciers, snowy mountains and is covered with snow most of the year, except for a short period in the summer, when it is open to pilgrims. This cave is famous for its ice formation, with the main lingam representing Lord Shiva and two smaller ones representing Parvati and Ganesha. As per the bel iefs, the Amarnath Ji Cave is where God Shiva was narrating Amar Katha to Goddess Parvati and wanted to keep it a secret. Therefore, he left all his companions behind. His riding friend – Nandi, the bull – was left at Pahalgam, the moon atop his head at Chandanwari, the snake around his neck at Lake Sheshnag, the 5 basic essentials of life that he carried at Panchtarini and even his son Lord Ganesha himself at Mahaguna to p.
The 38-day annual pilgrimage is scheduled to start from the twin routes — the traditional 48-km Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the shorter but steeper 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district — leading to the 3,880-metre-high Amarnath cave shrine. The decision to shorten the pilgrimage period was made before the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, and is unrelated to any immediate security threat. Security arrangements for the Amarnath Ji Yatra are comprehensive and multi-layered. Despite recent incidents, including a terror attack near Pahalgam, pilgrims stood firm in their resolve to undertake the sacred journey. It is nice that security forces have carried out an extensive joint mock drill along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, as part of final preparations ahead of the annual Yatra. Over 180 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed in the Jammu region, and CCTV surveillance has been increased at multiple points along the yatra route. Jammu police has also set up several checkpoints across the city to bolster security arrangements and carry out daily anti-sabotage checks ahead of the Amarnath Ji Yatra.
The Amarnath Ji yatra is an important part of Indian cultural heritage, showcasing the country’s rich spiritual traditions and diversity. The journey offers an opportunity for personal growth, self-reflection, and spiritual rejuvenation, attracting millions of devotees each year. Best possible facilities are made available for the devotees with the efforts of the Indian Army, Central Government and State Government Police Forces along with NGOs and government provided services. To ensure a safe and successful yatra, pilgrims must ensure to adhere to security guidelines, including prescribed cut-off timings and restricted areas and stay away from isolated areas and avoid taking alternative routes suggested by drivers or local transporters.
The writer is a Freelance Journalist, Writer & Cartoonist
Faith and Resilience
By: Vinod Chandrashekhar Dixit
